Patrick Stevens' coverage of college sports in D.C./Baltimore/Virginia, just the same as ever

01/21/2013

Turgeon plans another lineup change for Tuesday

At this point, it really isn't news, but Maryland is planning another lineup tweak for Tuesday's game against Boston College.

To the bench will go Shaquille Cleare. In his place, a smaller player.

Maybe Jake Layman? Or Logan Aronhalt? Maybe even Pe'Shon Howard (though that's probably not the likeliest course of action after the junior's seven-turnover day at North Carolina).

"We'll most likely start four little guys," coach Mark Turgeon said. "We'll probably start a different lineup on Tuesday. Shaq will play, hopefully significant minutes. I don't know what we'll do the next game after that."

The Terps have used five different starting lineups in the last seven games, and seven starting fives in the last 11 games.

If Maryland (14-4, 2-3 ACC) was playing well, this would look like Turgeon was simply playing matchups. Since the Terps have dropped three out of four, it would be easy to infer the Terps are looking for answers.

In truth, it's probably more the former than the latter. Turgeon said as much last month while describing his roster.

From Dec. 28:

“Our rotation will change based on who we’re playing and
where we’re playing and how guys are playing,” Turgeon said. “I have 10 guys
and I have 10 guys who are all improving.”

The first part of that quote probably holds up three and a half weeks later. And so while Maryland has juggled its starters and will do so again Tuesday, don't count on seeing a reliable every-night lineup as the Terps move forward.